I bought from them once, and the shipping costed me more than the batteries :zipper_mouth_face: 13€ for the bateries, 14€ for shipping.
Buying some more batteries may be worthy, but with those 14€ I can get some more batteries from China, from “reliable” stores.
below is a picture of the driver from one of the prototypes from the late April 2019 timeframe, courtesy of ToyKeeper. There appear to be programming pads there (roughly 3 o’clock), I don’t know if they are the same as the D4v2, but I would be shocked if they are not.
The picture highlights a couple user programmable features that have been previously discussed. One is selecting the charging current via a solder bridge (or removal), the other is selecting the number of linear drivers for the LEDs. I don’t recall what the factory setting will be, but when DBSAR gets the final production prototype we will see. I recall 4 or 5 being the default, but that was some time ago. And Lexel performed testing that showed all 7 don’t overheat. The only real advantage of having few is to physically limit the max output, and hence improve run time on the max level. But that is user programmable also to some extent (maximum ramp level).
I don’t recall exactly what the unused pads and were for, but I do recall something about a potentiometer (not installed above), perhaps to adjust the intensity of the button LED?
Typically it’s not easily removable. It’s a big driver so I think there is still plenty of room to work with a small iron tip despite what it may seem on the picture
It depends on what Sofirn has for cells to offer with the LT1, i know they have some good quality 3400mAh 18650s in their website, maybe they can offer those as an extra cost package option. (I will talk to Barry & the team about that for when it goes into production and is ready for ordering.
Sofirn is unlikely to offer Samsung 35E’s as that’s not one of their standard OEM options, but their kit cells are typically good values, even if they aren’t the best thing available.
My only concern has been whether or not the 3400mAh is actually a different cell than their 3000mAh. Nooner found them to appear identical and have the same capacities HERE. The 3400 appeared to be just a protected, button-top version of the 3000. Both measured ~3000mAh.
If Sofirn bundle 4 cells for a few extra dollars, the upside will be that they seem to have a large supply of those cells; this “DLG” brand seems ubiquitous in at least some parts of China. This will almost guarantee that you get cells for your LT1 even if you later decide to purchase nicer, more expensive cells.
I like them. I use the unprotected version mostly.
I also got some unprotected button tops from Li Ion Wholesale. They add the button tops themselves. They spot weld them & do it correctly. They do a great job.
